Here we have it. La creme de la creme. The top 4 Pixar movies (in my estimation). I find it to be a lively debate on what people consider their Pixar favorites because they often differ from mine. I found that the reason I like these Pixar movies particularly is because along with the general story arc, they always had an underlying thematic message that resonated beyond the surface.

Why it's so Epic: I remember seeing the opening of this movie and comparing it to the opening of The Little Mermaid, and wondering at how far animation has come. The Pixar crew dove (ha ha) into as many underwater movies and documentaries as they could find to immerse themselves in the world -- studying everything from Jaws to Jacques Cousteau. Finding Nemo takes the typical odd couple journey, but makes it incredible because of its scope -- traversing the deep depths, taking you to a Sharks' "Fish are Friends not Food" meeting that takes place in a sunken ship surrounded by floating mines, navigating jellyfish, whales, turtles...you name it. It was truly magical. This movie made me remember why I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was a kid (a dream slightly deterred by my difficulty swimming). Finding Nemo was the first movie to win the Best Animated Movie category and to this day, it holds the record for highest DVD sales. Boom.

The Story's Theme: Director Stanton wanted to create a story about a father that is hampered from being a good father because of his fear. And I think that's a hard message for most of us in our relationships. We want so much to protect those we love, but we also have to learn to let go of them in order for growth -- for them and for us.

Why it's Top 4 Material: Pixar is known for bringing wonderful characters to life, and Finding Nemo is no exception. There are a whole host of characters that should be annoying, but somehow they aren't. Marlin is a neurotic, clingy father -- but the reason is made clear from the very beginning. Dory is the typical dull-witted Gilligan/Pinky sidekick that unknowingly ruins everything, except she isn't. She's the heart of this movie -- her non-ending witty banter keeps the ball moving. Despite her memory handicap (which is probably what all fish are like anyway), she speaks whale, reads letters (although not always accurately) and provides some of the best tearjerker scenes in this movie ("I look at you and I'm home").

These characters are so great because of their voice actors. Albert Brooks (Marlin) reportedly hated the recording process since it isolated him from fellow actors, but that didn't stop him from providing hours of extra voice track where Pixar directors would just let the tape roll while he improvised. Ellen DeGeneres is genius as Dory (who doesn't love Ellen)? And you can't deny the appeal of other actors that fit their role like a glove, such as Willem Dafoe as the mysterious Gill.

3. The IncrediblesDirected by Brad Bird

Why it's so Epic: On the surface, The Incredibles is your standard superhero fare. It could easily get lost in the shuffle of all the different Marvel movies coming out. Plus if you think about it, all the family's abilities are copped off of the Fantastic Four (Mr. Fantastic/Helen, Susan Storm/Violet, Johnny Storm/Jack-Jack somewhat, The Thing/Mr. Incredible). They actually had to cut a scene from the Fantastic Four sequel because The Incredibles used it first (the scene where Mr. Incredible saves a cat from a tree). But the reason it's lasted is because it's so so good. Pixar head John Lasseter told Director Brad Bird that his first movie at Pixar should be something he loves and something he's always wanted to do, and Bird did exactly that...although one could expect nothing less from The Iron Giant director.

The Story's Theme: The Incredibles is more than a story of an extraordinary family -- it's the story of a very ordinary family struggling with their lives. Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) is stuck in a job he hates -- he's wrestling with what his life has become and how far it is from what he wanted it to be. His head is stuck in the glory days and he rails against what he thinks is a mundane existence. Wrapped up in this is his dynamic with his wife and how they raise a pair of inordinately gifted children.

Why it's Top 4 Material: As a superhero movie, The Incredibles is one of the few that is self-aware enough to make fun of itself, creating a viable world that shows how superheroes thrive (or hide) within ours. Edna Mode's "NO CAPES" montage, the opening interviews, along with the address of evil villains and their love for monologuing (and how that's often their downfall) is a great example of this. Pixar uses its animation prowess and superhero themes to inject humor at every turn -- from (again) Edna Mode's demonstration of her new superhero costume designs, to Elastigirl inflating into a rubber boat and human parachute. Because The Incredibles was animated, it was able to do what no live-action film can -- you've got dazzling feats and stunning tour de forces that wouldn't be possible (at least by today's standards). Even scenes as simple as the volcano curtain and Dash running across the water are marvels. Accompanied by the utterly delightful and daring soundtrack by Michael Giacchino, you can't lose.

2. RatatouilleDirected by Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava

Why it's so Epic: I love this movie so much. Out of all the selections on this list, I seem to argue the most about my utter love of this one, and my utter disappointment in Up. I love that this movie is so intelligent. You can tell it immediately from the title. And what other movie -- name any other animated movie -- loves its subject matter so much that it takes the time to educate the "children" watching the movie on the various chefs and their designations in the French kitchen? Ratatouille animators researched heavily for this movie -- pushing an actual person in a chef outfit into water to see exactly where the uniform would stick, drawing and studying rotting food for weeks to see how it would look...and nothing speaks of love for the Paris life than Remy the rat's first excursion up from the sewers to the viewpoint that shows him a spectacular night watch of the Paris landscape (which is set to one of the best flute excerpts in a movie soundtrack ever. Thank you once again, Michael Giacchino).

The Story's Theme: Chef Gustau says it himself in the movie, "Everyone can cook", and Pixar means it. Director Bird selects the most unlikely of creatures, taking pains not to make Remy the Rat cute. From the beginning, we see how vile a rat really is...and every time you see a hulking, writhing pack of rats swarming in the movie, you can't help but throw up a little in your mouth. But that's what makes this movie great. The fact that even a "disease-infested" rat can be a cook because he has a true passion for it. Pixar's passion for Paris and food transfers itself into Remy, who feels flavors in swirls of colors and flies in the face of all opposition to do what he loves.

Why it's Top 4 Material: Since writing this section, I've decided to rewatch Ratatouille right now. I've seen it the most out of all the Pixars (with Finding Nemo coming in second, I think). You could drown in all the little details that make this movie what it is -- the crunch of the bread, the texture of it when it's in Remy's hands, the Incredibles boxers that Linguine wears, the zoom-out of Anton Ego's face when he eats the Ratatouille (as well as Chef Skinner's reaction) and the Rocky homage when the rat punches the meat (to tenderize it). You can watch this movie a dozen times and still find something new in it. There are so many fast transport scenes that make this movie what it is -- when Remy climbs up the sewer pipe and when he's trying to escape the kitchen for the first time. And again Peter O'Toole as the critic Anton Ego is so on the money, it's a match made in heaven. This movie defied all expectations by making a rat its hero, and doing it so spectacularly.

1. Toy Story 3Directed by Lee Unkrich

Why it's so Epic: Toy Story 3 is a beautiful, beautiful movie. I have only seen this movie a few times because it's actually a little painful for me to watch. I hardly ever cry in movies (I can think of only three movies that have made me shed tears), and this is the only movie that makes me cry every single time. This movie meant so much to the audience because we were all kids when the first Toy Story came out and in a sense, we had grown up with the series, much as Andy in the movie had. Surface level, it's a prison break movie (oh and what a glorious heist/prison break movie it is), but it goes so so much beyond that, as I'll get into. PS, it's made the most for any animated movie and was the seventh movie to ever pass the $1 billion mark in the box office.

This movie encompasses some of my favorite genres -- you've got prison (John Lasseter said that he and the Toy Story crew watched just about every prison movie there is in preparation for this movie), noir (the high-stakes game in a dimly-lit vending machine around a See-and-Say Animal Sounds toy along with the Chatter Telephone that plays the part of the wise old-timer), and a heist to end all heists in order to escape the daycare center that perfectly encompasses a prison by moonlight.

The Story's Theme: Toy Story 3 focuses on the inevitability of change, growing up, and eventually letting go of people we may want to hold on to. We see it from the very beginning as Andy grows up with his toys and then when Andy's mom steps into his empty room and gives a little gasp because it's a realization that he's leaving her to go to college. We even see it in the weary, old-geezer movements of Buddy, the young puppy from Toy Story 2. Andy loves his toys so much...so much that he decides to take Woody along...and what college kid would ever have a toy like that with him in the dorm rooms?. But in the end he knows, and we know as an audience, that he's grown up and he needs to leave them behind. That little involuntary movement when he wants to take Woody back from Bonnie at the end, and the little hitch in his voice at the end when he waves goodbye...oh man, it kills me every time.

Why it's Top 4 Material: Toy Story 3 is number one for me because first off, it recalls the sheer joy and wonder we had as kids. The opening was so perfect in transporting us into Andy's mind and what he sees when he plays with his toys -- it's even better because it uses some of the exact same lines as Toy Story when we see Andy playing with his toys for the very first time. Not to mention it's one of the few trilogies in history to be damn good. And near the end, it makes us think (even if only for a few moments) that an animation will dare something that is so daunting and terrifying, it shocked us -- even though the toys were saved from death by incinerator. I could go on and on about the funny bits in here, but that's not what makes this movie in the end. Toy Story 3 also recalls the nostalgia laced with some regret and the bittersweet maturity we all have to face, at the cost of letting things go. It's like Peter Pan in that way. But through Woody's friendship with Andy and even what Lotso should have learned, is the truth that there is never anything to regret in the time and value we place in the now.

I'm not as well versed in Pixar movies as a human ought to be. I know there's a wealth of treasures in each film I'm missing out on from having only watched them once in theaters. Maybe going back and re-watching them (plus the couple I haven't seen yet) I'll have a more informed opinion, but just off the top of my head I was happy to see Incredibles and at least one from the Toy Story trilogy in your top 4. And Brave in your bottom 2 haha. (This actually really saddens me to say because I know Mark Andrews. I choose to blame the film's failure on bureaucracy and the other directors =).)

Reply

Elaine

8/27/2013 08:33:51 am

I love movies that require a bit of rewatching to get everything! Also, one of the reasons I loved "Wreck-it Ralph" as well (one of many). If you count top 5, both Toy Story 3 and Toy Story were there! As a trilogy, it's one of my favorites though. Each movie is so well-made, with differeing themes. And too bad about Brave. :( It's hard on everyone when a movie has to undergo a ton of changes and change of direction, which I heard is why it suffered quite a bit.